Who provides evaluations at Clarity?
Our evaluations are conducted exclusively by doctoral-level licensed psychologists or postdoctoral fellows under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, as required in the licensure process.
How long does the evaluation take?
The length of the evaluation depends upon the age of the client and the type of evaluation requested. Typically, clients are evaluated individually by a doctoral-level provider over the course of two 2-3 hour sessions, occurring on different days. Depending on your specific needs, our providers are flexible in adjusting the flow of the evaluation and are willing to bring you back in for additional appointments, as necessary, to obtain a robust picture of the your needs and strengths.
Additionally, assessment information is obtained through interviews and input provided by parents, teachers, family members, etc and during the feedback session with the client and/or their family following the evaluation. Children in first grade through age sixteen should expect at least five hours, including four hours of testing and one hour of parent feedback. Clients sixteen years and older should expect at least six hours, including five hours of testing and one hour of feedback. If more complicated issues are presented, including social-emotional difficulties, the evaluation may take longer.
How long will it take before I can get the results of the evaluation?
Typically, a feedback appointment is scheduled for the week following the evaluation. A full written report will follow several weeks later.
Will my school, employment, or physician receive information about my test results or interventions received at Clarity?
Information about evaluation and treatment at Clarity is confidential and is not released in an individually identifiable form without client (or in the case of a minor parental) consent unless required by law. In many situations, Clarity can only release information about this evaluation to others if the client (or in the case of a minor, the parent) sign a written authorization form that meets certain legal requirements imposed by state and federal privacy regulations. Clarity follows applicable state laws and professional standards in the storage, maintenance, retention, and destructions of clinical records. Please see the HIPAA Privacy Notice, which explains HIPAA and how it applies to your personal health information in greater detail.
Clarity must be in compliance with child abuse reporting laws and court mandated rulings regarding release of confidential information or any provision of psychological services. Situations in which Clarity is legally obligated to take action and may reveal some personal health information including, but are not limited to, filing a report with the appropriate government agency when they have reasonable cause to suspect abuse, abandonment, or neglect of a child under 18 or a vulnerable adult, protective action, if it is believed that a client represents a clear and immediate threat to another person or themselves, or receipt of a subpoena from a court proceeding.
At what age should I have my child evaluated if I suspect learning difficulties?
Early intervention is always the best course in order to prevent later problems. This is especially important if problems are moderate or severe. However, mild problems with learning may not be detected until second or third grade, or even later. By second or third grade, even mild problems can usually be diagnosed. However, no age is too late for an evaluation.
My child takes medication for ADHD (or ADD); should he/she take this medication on the day of the evaluation?
The answer to this question is based on whether or not the diagnosis of ADHD is in question.
If the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD is in question (e.g., the client has never been formally evaluated, the medication’s effectiveness is questionable or the client has discontinued the medication), then the client should not take the medication. In this case, it is still recommended that the parent bring the medication to the appointment so that, if warranted, a portion of the evaluation may be conducted on the medication.
If the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD is not in question (i.e., the client clearly has ADHD, the medication works, and he/she typically uses it- at least during the school day), the client should take his/her medication, as he/she would normally.
Who do we serve?
The Clarity Psychology & Counseling Department offers psychological evaluation and counseling services. We work extensively with preschool and school-age children, but also see college students who may need specific accommodations, based on learning differences, and adults who may be experiencing job performance difficulties relative to an attention or learning problem. Our referrals come from a variety of sources, including physicians, schools, colleges, corporations, friends, families and clients themselves.
How do I schedule an appointment?
To schedule an appointment for our Learning & Psychology Department, please call 864-331-1400. We are happy to help you begin your journey to learn more about yourself or your child.
Do you file insurance for Psychology & Counseling Services?
We are in network provider for Counseling Services and we will submit an insurance claim on your behalf if we are an in-networker provider for your insurance.
We do not file insurance for Psychological Evaluation Services However, if you choose to file a claim yourself, please inform our billing office, so we can help make your filing easier by providing a receipt that includes service codes, fees, payment, and diagnostic codes. Insurance companies vary in terms of reimbursement for psychological testing, so please contact your insurance company before beginning the evaluation process, if you are planning to seek reimbursement. Please be aware that third party insurance providers seldom reimburse for academic/learning related issues, although policies vary. Payment is the responsibility of the client or parent/guardian unless prior arrangements are made.
Do you offer a sliding scale payment option or financing option to assist clients in accessing services?
We offer Clarity Cares, an income-based sliding scale, in an effort to make our services accessible to all clients, regardless of their ability to pay the full cost of the evaluation.
Additional financial accommodations may be provided through the business office.
Please call us at 864-331-1400 or visit our Payment and Insurance page for more information about for billing and payment information options.
How is a psychological evaluation at Clarity different from a psycho-educational evaluation offered through the school district?
The major differences between an evaluation at Clarity and through the school district are:
- The school district’s evaluation primary focus is to determine eligibility for special education services. Data obtained through these evaluations is used by a school-based team to determine eligibility for special education services under one (or more) of 13 broad eligibility areas defined by IDEA. Evaluations through Clarity have a primary focus of answering referral questions (e.g., “Does my child have dyslexia and, if so, what interventions do you recommend?”) and can be used by a school-based team (with parent permission) to determine eligibility for special education services or a 504 plan.
- Psychological evaluations through Clarity pinpoint specific clinical diagnoses, if appropriate. School district evaluations are designed to determine educational classifications, but do not establish clinical diagnoses such as ADHD, generalized anxiety, social phobia, or autism spectrum disorder.
- Evaluations conducted by Clarity culminate in recommendations and referrals for services that are not only available through the school district, but also through private therapists, schools, tutors, and educational consultants in the area.
- Colleges/Universities typically review existing information (such as an IEP or 504 plan) about a client’s potential service needs in higher education. However, they often request updated (within three years) testing about a client’s functioning that may not have been completed during the client’s high school years, especially during their senior year. Clarity is happy to provide clients with updated evaluations of their needs prior to and during the client’s college/university years.
